O Gringo Sou EU is the solo project of Franklin Soares Monteiro, a Brazilian musician, producer, and cultural activist who has lived in Portugal since 2010. Given his strong commitment to political criticism, he is also active in the sociocultural sphere, forming musical collectives with children and young people, from communities in Rio de Janeiro to Portuguese public housing neighborhoods. Here, O Gringo Sou EU recently presented “Receita do Povo,” an album woven from 15 years of experiences, emotions, and resistance, born from a deep immersion in oral traditions, drumming, and the gypsy communities that welcomed the artist in Portugal.

For his performance at Palheta Bendita 2026, O Gringo Sou EU invites the gypsy communities of Santo Tirso, as well as Sons do Bairro, a project promoted by the Famalicão City Council, open to the entire community, with the goal of empowering youth, adults, and seniors through music, thereby fostering the musical and personal development of its participants. This project is not limited to simply composing and recording music. In fact, it also aims to build a more inclusive and cohesive community that values and understands the cultural richness of each individual, which aligns with the festival’s objectives.